Chhattisgarh News: Under CM Vishnu Deo Sai, Chhattisgarh Achieves National Public Health Milestone

Chhattisgarh has achieved a national public health milestone as the Integrated Public Health Laboratory at Raipur District Hospital becomes India's first IPHL to obtain NQAS certification. The recognition underscores quality diagnostics aligned with PM-ABHIM, strengthens health system confidence, and offers a replicable model for expanding high-standard laboratory services across districts.

Chhattisgarh has achieved a major national milestone in public health services, with the Integrated Public Health Laboratory (IPHL) at the District Hospital, Raipur becoming the first of its kind in India to receive National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certification. Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda has formally congratulated the state government on this landmark achievement.

In a communication to Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, the Union Minister said the certification of Raipur's IPHL reflects Chhattisgarh's growing capacity to deliver reliable, high-quality and standards-based diagnostic services. He noted that this recognition places the state at the forefront of quality assurance in public health laboratories across the country.

Describing the milestone as a result of dedicated governance and the tireless efforts of healthcare professionals, the Union Minister said the achievement has strengthened public confidence in the state's health system and set new benchmarks for service delivery in government hospitals.

He further emphasized that Integrated Public Health Laboratories are a key pillar of the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), which aims to strengthen health surveillance, laboratory networks and emergency preparedness nationwide. The core objective of the mission, he said, is to ensure quality-assured, hospital-specific and disease-specific diagnostic services across India.

The certification of the Raipur IPHL, he added, confirms that the laboratory has successfully integrated trained manpower, advanced equipment and upgraded infrastructure in line with national quality benchmarks. This achievement, he said, sets a model for other states to emulate.

Encouraging the state to replicate this model, the Union Minister said Chhattisgarh's success should serve as a best-practice template to expand access to high-quality diagnostic and disease surveillance services across districts and beyond.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai welcomed the recognition and expressed gratitude to the Union Government for its continued support to the state's healthcare sector. He said the certification reflects Chhattisgarh's strong commitment to strengthening public health systems and assured that the government will continue to expand quality laboratory and diagnostic services across all districts, in line with the national vision of building a healthier India.

The achievement also highlights India's broader transition towards technology-driven, standards-based public health systems. The NQAS certification signifies both institutional maturity and the growing culture of quality assurance within public health institutions.

Reaffirming the Centre's support, Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare remains committed to assisting Chhattisgarh in further strengthening and expanding its public health infrastructure. He expressed confidence that under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Chhattisgarh will continue to emerge as a leading contributor to India's public health transformation.